Career Development

Alumni

Summary: While attending Rivier College, David was actively involved with the Rivier College Model U.N. Club and Campus Ministry. As a three year member of Model U.N., David had the opportunity to meet and debate students from colleges and universities around the world. After being nominated Co-President of the club, he encouraged and devoted club time to open discussions on events to keep himself and other members well-informed of the happenings around the world and in their communities. David’s participation with Campus Ministry’s community projects and retreats gave him the opportunity to help those in need in the southern New Hampshire area. David graduated from Suffolk Law School in May of 2013.

What did you gain from your experience with Rivier Campus Ministry?

I can’t say enough about how great Brother Paul Demers and Mary Jane Silvia are. Brother Paul gives insight into the faith that is very educated, while at the same time saying it in terms that makes sense in the college setting. He is also one of the most approachable ordained people I’ve ever met. Mary Jane does a great job of coordinating all the events and people to keep everything going. The two of them helped me deepen my faith and appreciation of my fellow man.

Did your involvement with Model U.N. help solidify your choice of Criminal Justice as your major?

The Model U.N. had two significant effects on me. First, was the realization, after participating in the Harvard National Model U.N. Conference, that I could go intellectually toe-to-toe with the top students from the United States and the world. Second, was instilling my conviction of pursuing the legal field.

By what means did you acquire your job/internship at the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office?

I came upon this opportunity during the spring of my sophomore year. I was looking for something related to criminal justice to do during the summer and I sent out an e-mail blitz to every police organization in southern NH. The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s office responded and asked me to send them a resume. An adjunct professor I knew at River College had many contacts within the organization and was able to personally contact the top two officials and give me a good recommendation. Also, a Riv Alumni who I knew well was working there at the time and was able to give me a good recommendation. After graduation from Rivier, I worked as a Bailiff in the Hillsborough County court system.

What was it that made you decide to continue your education, specifically to attend Suffolk Law School in the evening?

Initially, the idea of going to law school was never something I seriously considered. It was a childhood ambition I felt was unobtainable by a first generation college student. The spark to enter law school occurred when I began my work with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. I saw the daily work of the various attorneys and opined that perhaps this was something that I could do one day. I discussed this with former Rivier Professor and Head of the Criminal Justice Department, Carol Rolf, who is also an Attorney and a graduate of the evening program at Suffolk Law School. She was very supportive and helped guide me through the process. I bought various LSAT preparation materials and paid for a weekend prep course. Prof. Rolf, various judges, attorneys, and clerks I worked with helped mentor me through the process. All of these resources undoubtedly made law school a realistic opportunity.

At what point in your academic career did you utilize the resources at Career Development Center?

I utilized the Career Development Center (CDC) during my junior year as part of my Criminal Justice Internship class taught by Prof. Carol Rolf. There were two CDC resources we were required to use, resume consultation and a mock interview. I did not utilize the resume the CDC helped to develop for my internship; however, after my first year of law school, I used it to obtain employment in a law firm. I got the job and I’m now a Workers’ Compensation Paralegal with Thornton & Naumes, LLP of Boston.

What job search techniques did you find most valuable?

The techniques I found most valuable was a combination of networking and internships. I found my part-time job with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office which led to an internship, with the help of Professor Helen Mahoney whose full-time career is as a juvenile probation officer. I ultimately utilized the relationships I made working within the court system to get into law school and obtain my current position as a Paralegal at Thornton & Naumes, LLP.

Based on your experience, what advice would you give current students to better prepare them for their careers?

I believe that with anything you do, you get out of it what you put into it. I do not mean you must always have straight A’s or graduate summa cum laude to attain your goals. What I mean is, you should use all the resources available to you, decide what your ultimate goal is and put all your resources toward achieving it. The professors at Rivier want you to be successful, let them know what your goals are and they will show you what you can do to get there. Join the various clubs to help hone your skills for your future career. Finally, know the field you would like to be in. Employers appreciate not just basic knowledge, but what the next generation of revolutionary ideas or innovations have in store for their field.